MASKED intruders tied up a Coventry man, his wife and their female lodger when they broke into a home in Kenilworth Road....

MASKED intruders tied up a Coventry man, his wife and their female lodger when they broke into a home in Kenilworth Road.

Two burglars wearing balaclavas forced their way into the home and burst into the dining room, where the three victims had just finished eating.

The three, aged from 47 to 58, were threatened with an iron bar and a knife before being tied up while the men searched the home.

It is believed they were at the house for up to half an hour.

They stole credit cards, cash and a few personal items before making off in a blue Ford Escort belonging to one of the occupants.

Det Con Andy Mulhall, from Chace Avenue CID, said the male victim managed to struggle out of his bindings as soon as the burglars had left. He got out through a back window and raised the alarm with neighbours.

Police, who were on the scene within minutes of the raid, at about 7.30pm on Friday, recovered the Ford Escort outside Devlins newsagents in Quinton Parade, off Daventry Road in Cheylesmore.

Det Con Mulhall wants to trace four people seen getting out of a car which pulled up next to the abandoned stolen vehicle.

Their car was left in Quinton Parade for about an hour and it is possible the four might have gone to the nearby Indian restaurant.

He said: "We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen the two men walking along Kenilworth Road just before the burglary."

The three victims were badly shaken but not injured.

Their attackers are described as being white, about 6ft and stocky. One was wearing a blue woolly hat under his balaclava.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Det Con Mulhall on 02476 539 416 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.